Business Integration of Sustainability: The Customer Perspective

Daniel Schmid, in a conversation with Uwe Schulte, shares insights from his role at SAP, emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach to sustainability that combines economic, social, and environmental considerations. Schmid highlights his journey of learning and transformation management, discussing the need to understand diverse perspectives and the continuous effort to communicate sustainability strategies effectively. He underscores the significance of setting bold, long-term goals and breaking them down into manageable annual targets. Schmid advocates for collaboration with experts and stakeholders, including NGOs, to drive sustainability initiatives such as SAP’s green cloud and Climate 21 program. He also stresses the importance of enabling customers to incorporate sustainability into their core business strategies, recognizing the need for innovation and digital transformation to meet contemporary environmental and societal challenges. Schmid’s experience includes engagement of internal stakeholders like sales in joined efforts to drive for collaborative efforts with customers driving positive impact through comprehensive and inclusive sustainability practices.